Thailand urges Cambodia to stop using landmines
Concern is growing about the number of landmines laid in border areas, as Cambodia has rejected Thailand's requests to participate in mine clearance, said Rear Adm Surasant Kongsiri, spokesman for the government's Ad Hoc Centre for the Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation.
'Cambodian soldiers are laying a considerable number of landmines,' he said on Wednesday. 'Landmines threaten not only military and security personnel but also fellow citizens of both countries.'
Thailand has asked the Asean Regional Mine Action Center (Armac) to support landmine clearance along the border in order to restore safety as soon as possible, he said, adding that the Armac director was a Cambodian.
Thirteen Thai soldiers have been injured, with five of them each losing a leg, in five explosions of Cambodian-laid landmines since July 16.
Rear Adm Surasant said Thai soldiers would use technology to protect themselves from landmines during their patrols. He also said that Cambodia was strengthening its positions along the border but the movement has happened at an acceptable distance, in compliance with the countries' ceasefire agreement.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Bangkok Post
5 hours ago
- Bangkok Post
King concerned by border spat, updated daily
His Majesty the King is deeply concerned about the ongoing Thai-Cambodian border tensions, with the palace receiving daily updates on the situation, according to Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang, commander of Army Region 2. Lt Gen Boonsin made these remarks during a lecture on the border situation and the army's role at Kasetsart University Laboratory School Centre for Educational Research and Development in Bangkok on Thursday. The commander told students that frontline soldiers want the public to know: 'If the Thai people, our children and grandchildren stand firm, then we soldiers will stand firm. All we ask for is the people's encouragement. 'His Majesty the King is constantly concerned by the situation, asking for updates from commanders every day through his royal office, which reports [to the palace] daily,' he said. Throughout history, Thai monarchs have served as supreme commanders, and the tradition remains, he noted. 'Every soldier is ready to sacrifice his life for the nation. Whether the situation ends peacefully or continues into more conflict, we are ready.' He said that in the event of an invasion, the army would first present maps to prove its territorial claims before defending and pushing back, escalating from light to strong measures. 'My duty is to defend sovereignty and expel the enemy as quickly as possible,' he said. When asked by a student what he would do if given one wish, Lt Gen Boonsin replied: 'I wish for Thailand to be peaceful, prosperous and free from hardship, with citizens living in harmony.'
Bangkok Post
10 hours ago
- Bangkok Post
Suspended PM won't confirm she will be in court on her birthday
Suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has not confirmed if she will be in court on Aug 21 to give evidence about her controversial phone call with Cambodian strongman Hun Sen, saying only that the date is her birthday. At parliament on Thursday, reporters tried repeatedly to get Ms Paetongtarn to comment on the case that could lead to her removal from office. The court suspended her as prime minister on July 1 pending a ruling, which it has scheduled for Aug 29. Although the questions were repeated, Ms Paetongtarn did not answer. 'Oops, August 21 is just a birthday,' she said. Reporters asked why she did not give a clear answer, and whether she was worried about the court's invitation for her to testify. She remained tight-lipped and left the scene with Deputy Transport Minister Manaporn Charoensri from her ruling Pheu Thai Party. The youngest daughter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is the subject of a petition from a group of senators, who complained to the court about her honesty and ethics in relation to the call with the former Cambodian prime minister on June 15. The recording of the private conversation was leaked to the media on June 18 at a time when border tensions with the neighbouring country were growing. In the conversation Ms Paetongtarn was heard making derogatory remarks about the commander of the 2nd Army Region, as well as showing a submissive tone towards 'uncle' Hun Sen and signalling a readiness to comply with the Cambodian strongman's demands. Ms Paetongtarn has insisted that her comments reflected a negotiating tactic to protect the national interest, in hopes that Hun Sen would agree on ways to settle the dispute. She has already outlined her position in a written defence statement submitted to the court. The court has scheduled a witness hearing for Aug 21, during which it will hear from Ms Paetongtarn and the secretary-general of the National Security Council. If either of them fails to appear, the court said, it will be regarded as a waiver of their right to testify, and their absence will not delay the proceedings. The court has also instructed both the petitioners and Ms Paetongtarn to submit closing statements in writing no later than Aug 27. The case centres on whether Ms Paetongtarn's position as prime minister should be deemed to be automatically terminated under Sections 170 and 160 of the constitution, which pertain to the ethical standards and integrity required of cabinet ministers. culture minister in a reshuffle on the same day that she was suspended as prime minister.
Bangkok Post
14 hours ago
- Bangkok Post
Thailand looks to expand foreign labour pool
The Ministry of Labour aims to expand the pool of foreign workers to eight nationalities to address labour shortages caused by unrest along the Thai-Cambodian border. Labour Minister Pongkawin Jungrungruangkit said on Wednesday that authorities have proposed allowing additional workers from countries such as Sri Lanka, Nepal, the Philippines and Indonesia. Thailand currently has memoranda of understanding with four countries — Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam — to supply workers to Thai employers. 'The expansion to eight nationalities will allow us to bring in workers during emergencies, avoiding delays from the MoU process, which can take 2–3 months,' said Mr Pongkawin. Expanding the labour pool would ensure businesses can continue their operations smoothly, even during unexpected disruptions such as the ongoing border conflict that has resulted in a mass exodus of Cambodian workers. The Ministry of Labour says at least 100,000 Cambodian workers, about 30,000 of them holding legal work permits, have returned home via immigration channels recently. Anecdotal evidence from employers and others puts the actual figure at up to 500,000. As a result, many businesses have reported labour shortages. The ministry is collecting requests from employers nationwide and aims to allow around 42,000 new foreign workers, distributing them fairly across all sectors. Mr Pongkawin said he hoped the Cambodian labour shortage could be solved within two months through workforce management. The ministry would ensure fairness for all employers and workers, while maintaining strict adherence to labour regulations, he said.
